A cross of the arms and a nod of the head? This gesture belongs to the famous genie we all know and love: the beautiful blonde bombshell Jeannie from I Dream of Jeannie.
Although the show debuted over 50 years ago, its popularity has been passed on to the younger generations — if the evergreen Halloween costumes aren't proof, I don't know what is!
Barbara Eden and Larry Hagman played a dynamic duo on the show, with such an interesting chemistry leading up to their fictional marriage in the last season.
It's true that the series definitely had some competition in its day (including Bewitched, which also has much more to it than meets the eye), but the genie and her “master” definitely made a forever mark on the history of television.
Even if you have been a long-time fan, there are a number of behind-the-scenes secrets that will leave your mind boggled. We've gathered 11 of them here for your reading pleasure!
Did we miss any fun facts about the show that you know of? Let us know in the comments below, and SHARE with your family and friends on Facebook!
Thumbnail sources: Flickr / Jolene Faber, Wikimedia Commons
1. Jeannie's Backstory Changed
When the series first began, it was declared that Jeannie became a genie due to the fact that she refused to marry the Blue Djinn, played by Michael Ansara, who was actually married to Eden in real life.
But that all changed toward the middle of the series, when they mention that Jeannie came from a line of genies instead of being turned into one.
2. Eden Was A Self-Declared Lion Master
Eden was thrilled when she found out she would be filming with a lion companion, due to the fact that she had prior experience working with lions. However, most of the other actors and actresses didn't feel the same way about the furry friend.
3. Eden Had To Cover Up Her Belly Button
Yep, you read that right. Due to strict television censorship at the time, Eden was restricted from showing her belly button on the screen.
There was just one slip-up that caused a bit of commotion during the series, but with her wearing a crop top the way she always did, it was bound to happen at some point!
4. Season Two Brought Color And A Song
The biggest difference that was fairly obvious was that the first season was entirely in black and white. It wasn't until the second season rolled around that colorization became all the hype, leading the show to switch over.
Also, there was no theme song in the first season. The second season debuted the tune and introductory sequence fans have grown to love.
5. It Took Five Seasons To Gain Popularity
Although this is hard to believe since we now consider the TV series an absolute classic, it wasn't always perceived that way. As a matter of fact, it was five full years before the show even hit Nielsen's Top 30. In fact, it only truly took off in syndication, well after it had been canceled.
6. Eden Had To Work To Get In That Bottle
Although Jeannie made getting into her bottle look like a piece of cake, in reality, it required some muscle. The whole bottle set was built on a sound stage, which Eden had to reach by climbing an eight-foot ladder. Not the biggest deal, but it still was more work than many people realize.
7. Eden Played A Dual Role
Not only did Eden play the blonde bombshell in the series, she also acted as Jeannie's brunette evil sister — also named Jeannie. Confusing much?
8. Hagman Struggled With Anxiety
Larry Hagman would often get frustrated because of the show's slow climb to success, and there was also talk that he was upset about playing second best to Eden. These issues, plus his own personal anxiety, led to some surprising prescriptions from doctors, as well as a struggle with drugs.
He also is reported to have drank a bit too much, leading to a necessary liver transplant in the '90s.
9. Network Execs Were Thrilled With Jeannie's Marriage
When the show was on its final season, the directors decided to tie the knot between Jeannie and Tony. Network execs had felt uncomfortable that Jeannie and her "master" were never married, so they were happy in the end.
However, Eden was actually dissatisfied with the decision to have the main characters get married, stating that it ruined the show.
10. Hagman Found Out The Show Was Canceled From A Security Guard
Upon returning from a vacation to South America, Hagman wanted to grab something from his dressing room. As he visited to do so, he ran into a security guard on set who let him know the bad news.
11. Most Of Jeannie's Hair Was Not Eden's
When Eden would get made up for filming, hair professionals would push her bangs out to the front. They styled the rest of her hair back into a braid so they could easily clip a ponytail for her genie look.
It's amazing, though, that it still took three hours each time to get her complete look together. I guess that's Hollywood for you!
Did we miss any juicy secrets about the beloved show? Let us know in the comments below, and please SHARE with your family and friends on Facebook!
